Waterproof and pressureproof cable plugs and connections



July 1, 1958 w. E. wlTzELL ETAL 2,841,635

WATERPROOF AND PRESSUREPROOF CABLE PLUGS AND CONNECTIONS Filed June 14,1955 17 Flg. 1 X' Warren E.Wi1zell Sydney'l. Knofi INVENToRs WATERPROOFAND PRESSUREPROOFCABLE PLUGS AND CNNECTIONS rWarren E. Witzell, WoodsHole, and Sydney T. Knott,

` Barnstable, Mass., assignors to the United States of America asrepresented by the Secretary of the-Navy Application :time 14, 195s,serial No. y515,566

2 claims. (c1. 174-77) This invention relates generally to electric'cable con- U4 nectors and more particularly to newand improved cable toavoid a poor electrical connection. It is also desirable to exclude suchmoisture or dirt'when two cables are 4connected together.

This was previously accomplished by such means as stuting glands,threaded connections, or by taping the various components in an attemptto produce a watertight seal. Such prior means were often time-consumingor required special tools and were as a rule unsatisfactory, especiallywhen the plugs were to tit standard receptacles on electronic equipmentand had to be small and compact.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new andimproved means for forming a waterproof connection between a cable andplug.

Another object is to provide a new and improved technique and means forforming a watertight connection between two such cables.

Still another object is to provide a simple and positive means formaking waterproof a cable and plug.

Still another object is to provide a simple and etlicient means forproviding a waterproof connection between two such cables.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this inventionwill be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood byreference to the following detailed description when considered inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l is a View partly in section of the cable and plug assembly;

Fig. 2 is a view of the manner in which two cables may be connected;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2 showingdetails of a locking ring; and

Fig. 4 is a view showing further details of the locking spring.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings for a more completeunderstanding 'of the invention and more particularly to Fig. l thereof,there is disclosed a waterproof cable and plug assembly in which theplug shell 2, preferably made of insulating material, provides a seatfor the connector plug 17, which may be male or female. The plug shell 2acts as a seal between the cable 1 and the hose 4, and acts as a seatfor the sliding O ring seal 6. The cable 1 is held assembled to theshell 2 by means of the split cable clamp 3.

The cable and plug are assembled to the shell in the following manner:The cable is inserted into the left end of the shell until the end ofcable extends beyond the other end. The conductors of the cable aresoldered to 2,841,635 Patented vJuly 1, 1958 the connector 17. The splitclamp 3 is then installed about the cable and securely tightened so thatthe cable cannot slip therethrough. The assembly is slid to the leftuntil the clamp abuts the interior shoulder of the shell 2. Connector 17is fastened in place within the shell 2 by any convenient means, such ascement or screws. The hose 4 is then slid over the shell 2 and isfastened in place by wire clamps 5 which are tightly wound about thehose to derclosesd atV one end and having an internal annular grooveadjacent its open end. An O ring seal 6 is positioned in the groove. Thecover 8 lits closely about the shell 2 with suliicient clearance topermit the cover S to slide over the shell. The O ring 6 is compressedinto the groove as the cover 8 is installed over shell 2 until thatgroove is substantially aligned with an annular groove 7 in theperiphery of shell 2 thereby permitting the O ring to expand into thegroove 7. The O ring functions as a frictional lock in addition toproviding a water tight seal l'between the cover Sand theshell 2. Tofurther insure sealing of the open end of shell 2, a gum rubber pad 10is positioned in the cover 8 to bear tightly against the terminus of theshell 2 when the O ring seal is in its locking position. In order toprevent loss of the cover 8 when removed from the shell 2, the cover Sis attached to the cable by means of a chain 9 secured to a ring 2l)which ts about a reduced portion of the shell 2.

Figs. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a means whereby two cable and conectorassemblies, such as illustrated in Fig. l, may be connected by a sleeveto provide a waterproof and dustproof connection.

In Fig. 2 there are shown in abutting relationship two cable andconnector assemblies similar to that shown in Fig. l except that thecovers have been removed. It is understood that if these assemblies areto be connected one must have a male connector while the other a femaleconnector. Circumscribing the two assemblies is a sleeve or cover 8 oneither end of which is a notch 13 adapted to receive a latch ashereinafter described. Carried on the interior of the sleeve 8 are two Osnap rings 6 which cooperate with the grooves 7 on the shells of theassemblies 18 and 19 to keep the units assembled and provide Water tightseals between the sleeve and the units. On either end of the sleeve 8 ispositioned a knurled locking ring surrounding the sleeve and adapted tobe slid along the sleeve. Positioned between the sleeve and the rings isa spring locking means 11 preferably made of two layers of Phosphorbronze soldered together, the ends of which are slightly bent upwards.Mounted on each end of the spring 11 is a latch 12 which cooperates withthe notch 13 in each end of the sleeve for maintaining the units inassembled condition. The knurled locking rings are each provided with ahole which is breached to tit the spring 11, and the ends 16 of thespring are enlarged to limit sliding movement of the rings 14. In theassembled condition the locking ring 14 bears upon the spring 11 forcingthe latch 12 into the notch 13 in the sleeve 8. A portion of the latch12 projects a sufficient distance into the sleeve interior to preventwithdrawal of the adjacent unit 18 or 19. Thus the coupled units areprevented from being inadvertently disconnected.

In Fig. 2 the cable connector cover or sleeve 8 is shown in the lockedposition. To disassemble the device Ythe locking rings 14 are slidtoward the center. This movement of the locking rings allows the ends ofthe spring 11 to deflect upwards due to their initial bias and therebydisengage the latch means 12 from the notches 13 in the cover or sleeve8. The unit 18 or 19 may then be pulled from the cover or sleeve 8 tocomplete the disassembly of the device. If desired, covers such as 8 ofFig. 1 may also be provided with the units 18 and V19 for use when theunits are disconnected.

Obviously, many modications and variations of the `present invention arepossible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to beunderstood that within the scope of the appended claims the inventionmay be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

l. A waterproof cable connector assembly comprising a shell having areduced terminal portion, a cable projecting through said reducedportion into the interior of saidl shell, means within saidshell'secured to said cable preventing withdrawal of said cable, awaterproof covering,\.

Y exterior annular groove situated to register with said interior groovewhen said cover is installed over said shell, and said sealing ringbeing adapted to extend into both grooves when said grooves are alignedto form a water tight barrier.

2. A waterproof cable connector assembly comprising a cylindrical shellhaving an annular reduced terminal portion, a cable projecting throughsaid reduced portion into the interior of said shell, a waterproofcovering, means tightly clamping said covering about the exterior ofsaid reduced portion and about said cable, a retaining ring securedabout a portion of said cable in the interior of said shell and abuttinga shoulder within said shell whereby to prevent said cable from beingwithdrawn, a connector secured in said shell adjacent its open end, theconductors of said cable being secured to said connector, a hollowcylindrical cover closed at one end, said cover being adapted to tclosely about said shell, said cover having an interior annular groove,a compressible sealing ring positioned in said interior groove, saidshell having an exterior annular groove situated to register with saidinterior groove when said cover is installed over said shell, saidsealing ring extending into both grooves when said grooves are inalignment to form a water tight barrier, and resilient means positionedin said cover and adapted to seal said open end of said shell when saidcover is installed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,145,705 Wodtka Ian. 31, 1939 2,288,525 Hardage June 30, 1942 2,566,993Parsons Sept. 4, 1951 2,583,804 AndrusV June 29, 1952 2,677,009 MascuchApr. 27, 1954

